LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Robert and Joanne Gaffney upon the occa-
sion of being named Community Honorees by the Peconic Bay Medical Center

WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve the
best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration and
cannot be sufficiently extolled; and
WHEREAS, Robert and Joanne Gaffney have given not only of their time
and energies but also of their competence, intelligence and leadership
and consequently have been designated for special honor; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Robert and
Joanne Gaffney upon the occasion of their designation for special recog-
nition as Community Honorees by the Peconic Bay Medical Center to be
celebrated at its Oscar Party at The Inn & Spa at East Wind, Wading
River, New York, on Saturday, March 5, 2011; and
WHEREAS, Robert Gaffney was born in Brooklyn, New York and attended
LaSalle Academy in New York City; he graduated from Fordham University
School of Business in 1965 and Fordham University School of Law in 1969;
and
WHEREAS, While in college he met Joanne DiDonato and they were married
in 1966; upon graduation from Law School, Robert joined the Federal
Bureau of Investigation and served as a Special Agent in Detroit and
Washington D.C.; and
WHEREAS, After practicing law in Mineola and Port Jefferson, Robert
Gaffney was elected to the New York State Assembly where he served from
1985 until he was elected Suffolk County's sixth County Executive in
1991; having served three terms as County Executive, he retired from
public service and became a partner in the law firm of Meyer, Suozzi,
English and Klein P.C. in Garden City, New York; and
WHEREAS, In 2006, Robert Gaffney was appointed President of Dowling
College where he served until his retirement in 2011; and
WHEREAS, Robert and Joanne Gaffney have been called upon to contribute
their time and talents to countless civic and charitable endeavors and
have always given of themselves unstintingly; and
WHEREAS, Since 2005, Robert and Joanne Gaffney have been involved with
Peconic Bay Medical Center; Robert has been a loyal member of the Board
of Directors and Joanne has been a compassionate volunteer; this remark-
able couple remains active in many other noble community organizations;
and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of their community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Robert and Joanne Gaffney have stood
constant in dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, Robert and Joanne Gaffney are the proud parents of two daugh-
ters, Jennifer and Beth, and the loving grandparents of four grandchil-
dren; all of whom feel privileged to be a part of their lives and
rejoice in their achievements; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Robert and Joanne Gaffney upon the occasion of being named Commu-
nity Honorees by the Peconic Bay Medical Center; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Robert and Joanne Gaffney, Riverhead, New York.